779 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ চতুর্দশ খন্ড ৩০৮ বাংলাদেশ প্রশ্নে বিশ্বের অতৃতবাজার পত্রিকা ২ জুন, ১৯৭১ হস্তক্ষেপ চাই AM RITA BAZAR PATRIKA JUNE 2, 1971 “GET WORLD INVOLVED IN BANGLADESH' Dinesh Singh M.P. (Former Minister of External Affairs) The heroic struggle of the people of Bangladesh has to be seen in the context of the developments in the Indian sub-continent. The elections in India. Pakistan and also Ceylon have established beyond doubt the people's choice in favour of democracy, change and stability. In selecting their leaders and parties people have, unmistakably, expressed their desire for rule by the people even in the face of military domination. They have equally opted for rapid transformation of their societies peacefully and have given their over-whelming support to those who they thought would be able to realize their aspirations. It was against this background that India lent full support to the Government of Ceylon, when it felt that an attempt was being made to thwart the expressed will of the people. Therefore it was only natural that when a similar situation was created in Pakistan, India should have taken the same stand. Our Parliament's pledge to extend sympathy and support to Bangladesh was based on the same considerations. The will of the people had to be respected. A society governed by democracy has no other option. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's bold statement in the Lok Sabha on May 24, 1971 was a continuation of the sympathy and support resolved by Parliament and it should be welcomed. Bangladesh is, therefore, not an exercise in isolation but a manifestation of the aspirations of the people living in this part of the world. It is a reflection of the struggle of the people 0 f Pakistan to throw off the yoke of military domination. It is a movement for the establishment of democracy and fundamental human rights. This is clear from the results of the elections held in Pakistan not long ago under the martial law administration. Out of 313 seats in the National Assembly (169 in East and 144 in West Pakistan). Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Awami League and its supporters were expected to command the allegiance of 702 members. A clear majority in the Assembly. Their six-point plan was certainly not a recipe for secession either. Why should a majority want to break away from the minority? And President Yahya Khan had acknowledged Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the future Prime Minister of Pakistan. Besides, in the six-point programme presented by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman a Federation of Pakistan was the first point. It was the sudden, unwarranted and ruthless attack by the West Pakistani armed forces in Bangladesh against defenseless civilians that split Pakistan.
